Defense attorneys call for Blagojevich/Obama subpoena

A Blagojevich Obama subpoena may be just a dodge. From Wikimedia Commons.

The case against disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is progressing, and his defense team plans to attempt to call President Obama to the stand. A Blagojevich/Obama subpoena could mean nothing. It may also spell disaster for either the indicted ex-politician or the president. The kind of legal team necessary for this case would send anyone running for a no fax cash advance at least. It wouldn’t be the first time a sitting president has been given a subpoena to testify, but there is a wide latitude in avoiding the witness chair should he be served.

Blagojevich Obama ties do exist

Allegations of Blagojevich/Obama ties have been surmised since the former governor was arrested and later thrown out of office. President Obama was a Senator in the state where Rod Blagojevich was governor, and they are familiar. The judge presiding over Blagojevich’s trial, District Judge James Zagel, for trying to sell a Senate seat has been requested to subpoena the President, as the defense claims President Obama has knowledge relating to the alleged events. So far, there doesn’t seem to be any suggestion of impropriety on the part of the President, though it seems he did offer notes on proposed replacements in the Senate.

Motion accidentally leaked

The motion filed with the court by the defense was leaked onto the internet. Parts of it were blacked out when posted. It was discovered, however, that the blacked out portions would be uncovered if copied and posted out of the online court document. A link is available on Fox News. It isn’t known if President Obama has pertinent information, or if Blagojevich needs small loans for more smoke and mirrors.

Senator Durbin subpoenaed; judge advises less showboating

It is getting widely covered that Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been subpoenaed as well. Durbin has maintained his innocence of any wrongdoing. He says barely spoke with Blagojevich, and only spoke with him concerning replacements to the vacant seat. Meanwhile, according to the Chicago Tribune, Judge James B. Zagel advised Blagojevich that he would not subject a jury to all 500 hours of FBI tapes of his conversations. He also admonished him to knock off all the showboating.

What if he does subpoena the President?

If the Blagojevich/Obama subpoena were to go through, there are several things that can happen. The president is, after all, the president. National security matters and scheduling could prevent his testimony, and those are perfectly valid excuses. Rod Blagojevich, meanwhile, could face up to 20 years if he is convicted.